Athletes become local legends in the islands when they accrue a resume of fast times, race records and countless victories.
One such legend lives in Kona, born and raised in a community where tales of his talents, spirit and competitive drive have been told for more than three decades.
Mention “The Hammer” during any endurance gathering, and everyone knows you’re talking about the legendary Harry Yoshida.
Yoshida has competed in more races than anyone can count, has amassed a collection of accolades in the form of trophies, finisher medals and koa wood bowls. And to prove he’s done it all, Yoshida has kept a binder filled with memorabilia and race stats since 1980.
Rain or shine, Yoshida is up at 5 a.m. every day, ready to take on the world with a swim, bike or run in Kailua-Kona. He shows up to every racing and training event on and off the sports calendar and operates like a well-oiled endurance machine. For Yoshida, it’s a way of life.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “I’m so used to it that I don’t have to think about it. The main thing is that whether it’s training or racing I enjoy doing it and I look forward to it.”
The tales told throughout the athletic community are of Yoshida’s humble beginnings and the athletic heroism often displayed on the race course.
As the story goes, it all began for a good cause, a run for charity.
In 1980, Yoshida was the head chef for Kona Village. Though he was not a runner, he partnered with a chef from the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to do what many considered to be absolutely crazy — a 20-mile midday run along the searing lava fields from Kona Village to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
“It was a lot of fun and we were able to raise $400,” Yoshida chuckled. “We didn’t train for it and we both had never run before. But I enjoyed it so much that I began running from then on.”
And so he did — racing everything from a mile to the marathon all across the state and doing it with his trademark style — by hammering it.
Other stories tell of the competitive warrior Yoshida became in a road race.
“I won’t forget the old Kona Coffee 10K in the fall of 1981,” said multisport enthusiast Peaman. “I was 17 years old and my dad’s girlfriend made a bet with him over beer that I would win. I managed to stay in front, but what I didn’t know, was Harry quietly stalked me for 5 miles. Then out of nowhere, out comes Harry flying past me during the last mile and then he was gone! Harry was always a competitor, with a demeanor and strength of a samurai.”
Peaman added that Yoshida was one of the first people inducted into the Peaman Hall of Fame. Pure runners were the initial inductees, and Yoshida was considered to be one of the best in the state.
“Harry is a true classic,” Peaman said. “What I really respect about him is his consistency, determination and strength to continue on all these years and not miss many races. He is a very smart competitor, always negative splits his runs. But above all, Harry is humble, never one to complain. Runners can tend to be a whiny bunch, but not Harry, there was never any whining with him.”
Never one to brag, Yoshida admits that winning the 1984 Big Island Marathon in Hilo with a personal best finishing time of 2 hours and 47 minutes is by far a career highlight.
“The year before I had finished in fifth place,” Yoshida recalled. “When I received a No. 9 bib number, I knew that I would need to race well as there were other fast runners there. At mile 17 of the marathon, I threw in a 5:45 mile and took the lead from a guy from Oahu and eventually went on to win.”
Yoshida has nearly 40 marathons under his belt, most with finishing times hovering around 2 hours and 50 minutes — an average pace of 6:30 per mile. Yoshida credits those fast times to a strict diet of three days of only protein — no carbs, sugar, juices or dairy — followed by three days of only carbohydrates, then race day. Yoshida puts in four to five months of high mileage training runs averaging 80 to 90 miles per week. Some may chalk it off as old school, but for Yoshida, it works.
Yoshida’s versatility helped him transition into the multisport arena. Numerous age group wins at qualifying races have earned him tickets to become a six-time Ironman World Championship finisher.
One glance at his titanium Litespeed triathlon bike reveals Ironman bragging rights along his seat post — six stickers designate each year of completion.
Sunday, Yoshida participated in Team Mango’s Post Ironman Sprint Tri. After exiting the 400-yard swim in 6:52, with the second pack, he posted a strong bike time of 28:43 for the 10-mile course on Alii Drive to start the 2-mile run just behind training partner and women’s leader Kym Kiser.
Yoshida said the two are typically close in short sprint distances with Kiser coming out ahead at the previous weekend’s race, The Morning After Duathlon. This time, Yoshida waited until the final half-mile to “put the hammer down.” He finished 9 seconds ahead of Kiser, who won the women’s race.
With his wife and biggest fan, Linda, cheering him on at every race, the 66-year-old Yoshida continues to hammer out unbelievable results and consistently places in the top 10 at most area events. Last year, Yoshida was crowned the Team Mango Triathlon series champion and the Hawaii Cycling Club’s 65-69 age group series winner.
What can we expect in the future from The Hammer?
“Probably more of the same thing,” Yoshida said. “My goal is to keep racing and training for as long as I can.”